2022.02.24 | Fiscalini Ranch Preserve Inducted Into The Old Growth Forest Network

On Saturday, 2/19/22, Fiscalini Ranch Preserve was honored to be inducted into the Old-Growth Forest Network. Noelle Collins, the Southwest Regional Manager of the Old-Growth Forest Network, presented a plaque to Kitty Connolly, Executive Director of the Friends of Fiscalini Ranch Preserve. Hugh Manoli, Jr., San Luis Obispo County Coordinator for the Old-Growth Forest Network, nominated the Ranch and worked to get it recognized. A small dedication ceremony was followed by a hike in the forest.

A nice crowd of people were on hand. Current and former board members of Friends of Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, including Chairperson John Nixon (who introduced the event), former executive director Jo Ellen Butler, Walt Andrus, Ellie Etter, Tom and Susan Loganbill, Ted Siegler, and Michael Thomas, were at the ceremony. Harry Farmer, representing both the Cambria Community Services District and Cambria Forest Committee, was joined by Christine Heinrichs and Laura and Crosby Swartz. Brian Morgan led the hike. Loree Parral, Gail Thomas, Henry Showell, and several friends of the Old Growth Forest Network also showed their support for the Monterey pine forest.

Fiscalini Ranch Preserve contains 437 acres of natural land, supporting approximately 70 acres of old-growth Monterey pines dating back to the 1800s and an additional 55 acres of restored forest. Cambria’s Monterey pine forest is one of five remaining native stands that comprise approximately 13,000 acres worldwide. Local forest canopy is dominated by Monterey pine with an understory of coast live oak. The preserve also supports 150 different native plants and is visited by 430 bird species.

The mission of the Old-Growth Forest Network (OGFN) is to connect people with nature by creating a national network of protected, mature, publicly accessible, native forests. The goal is to preserve at least one forest in every county in the U.S. that can sustain a forest. Members in the OGFN pledge to refrain from logging and preserve public access to their forest. The network currently consists of 147 forests across twenty-eight states. Fiscalini Ranch Preserve joined thirteen other California forests already in the Network.

Once the plaque is mounted on wood, it will be on display in the office of Friends of the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve at 604D Main Street.

Photos by Crosby Swartz and Walt Andrus.

Article first published in https://cambriaca.org/